Perceptions and protective experiences regarding reproductive hazards among operating room healthcare workers of childbearing age: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Occupational reproductive hazards have a significant negative impact on the physical and mental health of healthcare workers, leading to risks of infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes that far exceed those of the general population. However, the protective dilemmas and lived cognitive experiences regarding reproductive hazards among multidisciplinary teams of childbearing age within the complex, high-pressure environment of the operating room remain largely neglected in the fields of occupational medicine and nursing management. METHODS: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of reproductive hazards and the experiences of adopting preventive measures among operating room healthcare workers of childbearing age. Using purposive sampling, face-to-face interviews were conducted with eligible participants. Data were organized and analyzed utilizing Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis revealed three main themes: (1) inconsistency between knowledge and practice regarding reproductive protection; (2) barriers to adopting protective measures; and (3) the conflict between a culture of dedication and individual health responsibility. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new insights into the occupational reproductive protection dilemmas faced by operating room healthcare workers of childbearing age. It highlights the necessity for comprehensive interventions targeting issues such as the collective neglect of male reproductive risks, insufficient resource allocation, and team-based protection dilemmas reliant on interpersonal negotiation. Healthcare policymakers and managers should provide greater organizational support and foster a non-punitive safety culture, empowering healthcare workers to effectively safeguard their occupational reproductive health rights.